Fundamentals

of Human
Energy
Transfer
CHAPTER 5
 Fundamental Definitions

Bioenergetics Aerobic Anaerobics

Studies diverse Provides the
Burning of
means for body with
carbohydrates explosive short
energy
transfer for and fats in the term energy
biologic work presence of without the
oxygen need of
within living
oxygen
organism
The first law of Thermodynamics

Law of Energy conservation

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.

It can be transferred to another object or

converted into a different form.

The amount of energy stays the same.

 What is Energy?

The capacity to do work

There are two states of energy:

Potential energy or energy at rest. Kinetic energy or energy in motion

 Kinetic Energy
An energy possessed by an object due to its motion. Examples
of kinetic energy include :

When an object is in free fall, it

Kinetic gains kinetic energy as it
Energy accelerates due to the force of
Falling
object gravity

A moving car possesses kinetic

energy because of its motion. The
faster the car moves or the
Moving heavier it is, the greater its kinetic
Car energy
 Potential Energy

The stored or possessed energy of an object based on its position or condition.

It is the energy that an object has th potential to release or convert into other
forms. Examples of potential energy include:

Potential
Energy Gravitational When an object is lifted higher
potential above the ground, it gains
energy gravitational potential energy

Elastic This energy is stored in objects that

Potential can be stretched or compressed
Energy
Energy Releasing and Conserving processes

Exergonic Reactions
chemical process
that release energy
to it’s Surroundings
Endergonic Reaction
Store or absorb
energy
 Exergonic Reactions
These are chemical reactions that releases energy
Examples of exergonic processes in the body include:
Cellular respiration
cells break down glucose and other molecule to
produce energy in the form of ATP
Digestion of food
When we eat food, the process of breaking down
complex molecules into simplier ones releases energy.
This energy is then used by the body for various
metabolic processes.
 Endergonic Reactions
Chemical reactions that require energy input to occur
Examples of endergonic processes in the body include:
Photosynthesis
the process of converting sunlight into glucose requires
energy from sunlight
Protein synthesis
The process of building proteins from amino acids
require energy input. This endergonic reaction is vital for
the growth, repair, and maintenance of cells and tissues
Energy Releasing and Conserving processes

Exergonic processes are Endergonic processes

essential for providing are important for
energy to carry out storing energy and
various bodily functions building complex
and maintain molecules within the
homeostasis body
Second Law of Thermodynamics

in any isolated system, the entropy tends to increase

over time

Entropy- a measure of disorder or randomness

Entropy- a measure of disorder or randomness

Comprehend why a certain processes occur

spontaneously and why energy tends to disperse or
become less concentrated over time
 Second Law of Thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics can be observed

in varous everyday scenarios such as
Cooking
When we cook food on a stove, heat is transferred from the hot burner to
the pot and then to the food. The heat flows from the higher temperature
source to the lower temperature sink

Refrigerator
Heat is removed from the interior of the fridge and transferrd to the
surroundings.
 Biologic Work
Chemical Work
refers to the energy-consuming
Involves the processes that occur within living
organisms
synthesis and
breakdown of Mechanical work

molecules Involves the

Transport Work

within cells
movement of Involves the movement of
cells, tissues, molecules and ions across
membranes, maintaining
or whole concentration gradients
organisms and aiding in the
transport of substances
with in the body
 Chemical Work

Protein Synthesis
Cells use energy to assemble amino acids into proteins,
which are essential for various functions in the body
such as enzyme activity, cell signaling, and structural
support.
Metabolism
The various chemical reactions that occur in cells to
break down nutrients and produce energy-rich
molecules like ATP involve chemical work
 Mechanical Work

Muscle Contraction
When muscles contract they generate force and
movement, allowing organisms to perform physical
activities like walking, running, or lifting objects.
Ciliary Movement
Undergo mechanical work to create coordinated
movements that help in the clearance of mucus or
particles from the airways
 Transport Work
Active Transport
Cells use energy to pump ions or molecules against
their concentration gradient, such as the sodium-
potassium pump that maintains the resting membrane
potential of nerve cells
Endocytosis and Exocytosis
involve the energy-dependent uptake and release of
materials through the cell membrane, allowing for the
transport of substances into and out of cells
 This forms of biologic
work helps us appreciate
and understand the
energy requirements and
processes that enable
living organisms to
function and carry out
essential activities
 Enzymes

Are proteins that act as

catalysts, facilitating and
spreading up chemical
reactions in the body.
 Co-Enzymes

Are small, non-protein molecules that

work alongside enzymes to help them
carry out their functions.
Often act as carriers of chemical groups
or electrons during metabolic reactions
 High energy phosphates are
molecules that contain high-
energy bonds between
phosphate groups. The two main
high energy phosphates involved
in powering biological work are
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
and creatine Phosphate (CP)
 ATP referred to as the “energy
currency” of the cell because it stores
and transfers energy for cellular
processes. This energy utilized by cells
to perform various tasks such as muscle
contraction, active transport of
molecules across cell membranes, and
synthesis of macromolecules like
proteins and nucleic acids
 Creatine Phosphate (CP) serves as a
reservoir of high-energy phosphate
groups in muscle cells. During intense
physical activity, when ATP levels
rapidly deplete, CP donates its Phosphate
group to ADP ( adenosine diphosphate),
regenerating ATP. This process provides
a rapid source of energy for muscle
contractions, allowing for short bursts of
intense physical activity
 ATP and Cp play critical roles in
powering biological work by providing
the necessary energy for cellular
processes and muscle function.
Without these high energy
phosphates, cells would not be able to
carry out essential functions and
organisms would not be able to
perform activities
Resource Page
Bowerman, S. (2019, June 17). Carbs - your body’s main fuel source. Herbalife.
https://iamherbalifenutrition.com/nutrition-facts/carbs-fuel-
source/#:~:text=True%2C%20your%20body%20uses%20fat,enough%20carbohydrate%20in%20
the%20diet.

Home. AAT Bioquest. (n.d.). https://www.aatbio.com/resources/faq-frequently-asked-

questions/what-is-the-role-of-oxygen-in-cellular-respiration

What is anaerobic respiration? the definitive guide - biology online. Biology Articles, Tutorials
& Dictionary Online. (2023, May 25). https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/anaerobic-
respiration#:~:text=Answer%3A%20During%20anaerobic%20cellular%20respiration,lead%20t
o%20painful%20muscle%20cramps.
IYAMAN!!